Recall 20V180 affects 52,127 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans because the manual gives wrong Auto-P instructions. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 52,127 2019 Sprinter 1500, Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 3500, and Sprinter 4500 vans because the operator's manual gives incorrect instructions for the Auto-P parking function. If a driver relies on that description, the van can roll away or move and increase crash risk, and Mercedes-Benz dealers will complete the recall remedy free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500, Sprinter 2500, Sprinter 3500, Sprinter 4500, and Sprinter (VS30) use an automatic parking function called Auto-P. Auto-P is supposed to apply the parking function under specific conditions, so the van stays secured when the driver stops and leaves the seat. The Operator's Manual is the part that tells the driver when that feature engages.
In affected vans, the manual does not give the correct description of those Auto-P conditions. A driver reading it can believe Auto-P will engage when the van is stopped or moving at low speed, the seat belt is unbuckled, and the driver leaves the seat through a path other than the driver's door. The recall repair is a corrected Owner's Manual supplement from a Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner Sprinter dealer.
There is no warning sign before failure. The issue is the written instruction, so the owner will not hear a noise, see a fluid leak, or feel a part change before relying on the wrong Auto-P description.
Who's affected?
Every listed Sprinter variant is tied to the same owner or service manual equipment issue.
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 | vehicle equipment |
|---|---|
| 2019 Freightliner Sprinter 2500 | vehicle equipment |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 | vehicle equipment |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 | vehicle equipment |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4500 | vehicle equipment |
| 2019 Freightliner Sprinter 1500 | vehicle equipment |
| 2019 Freightliner Sprinter 3500 | vehicle equipment |
| 2019 Freightliner Sprinter 4500 | vehicle equipment |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (VS30) | vehicle equipment |
| Units affected | 52,127 |
A matching 2019 Sprinter model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific van is included.
What's the safety risk?
If you rely on the Auto-P function exactly as described in the Operator's Manual, the vehicle can move or roll away, increasing the risk of a crash. Until the manual correction is in place, confirm the vehicle is secured before leaving the driver's seat. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019 Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner Sprinter 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, or Sprinter (VS30) is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner Sprinter dealer to get the free Operator's Manual Auto-P correction that addresses the inaccurate parking-function instructions.
- Bring the recall notice if Mercedes-Benz has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 20V180 when you call.
- Use the corrected Auto-P instructions before relying on the automatic parking function.
- Avoid relying on the old Operator's Manual Auto-P description until the corrected information is in the vehicle.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician provides the correct description of how the Auto-P automatic parking function operates and updates the Operator's Manual information covered by recall 20V180. The manual supplement is free under the recall. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the existing New Vehicle Limited Warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, since the involved vehicles remain under warranty. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| March 26, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 1, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| May 1, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 8, 2020 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| May 8, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| May 18, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V180?
Recall 20V180 covers 52,127 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles with incorrect Operator's Manual information about the Auto-P automatic parking function. If a driver relies on the wrong description, vehicle rollaway or movement can occur, increasing crash risk.
What should I do if my 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Sprinter is included in recall 20V180. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer and ask for the corrected Auto-P description for the Operator's Manual. Reference recall number 20V180 and DVUSA recall number VS3BAUTOP when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to correct recall defects at no cost, and DVUSA says Mercedes-Benz dealers will provide the corrected Auto-P Operator's Manual description free of charge.
What is the safety risk in recall 20V180?
The risk is vehicle rollaway or unintended movement. The recall concerns incorrect manual instructions for the Auto-P automatic parking function. If the driver follows the wrong description, the Sprinter can move when the driver expects it to remain parked.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V180000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-877-762-8267 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V180 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V180000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →